Xeldem locals seek action on waste woes, ground delay | Goa News

Margao: The gram sabha of Xeldem panchayat, chaired by sarpanch Kavita Gauns Dessai, witnessed heated discussions on Sunday over improper garbage disposal and the delayed handover of the village playground.
Despite the panchayat engaging a contractor for door-to-door garbage collection, villagers expressed concern over the persistent problem of illegal dumping along roadsides. The issue is particularly severe in the areas of Dhamad, Tolleaband, and Ghanemorod, according to gram sabha members.
Addressing the concerns, sarpanch Dessai urged residents to refrain from haphazard garbage disposal and utilise the door-to-door collection service provided by the panchayat. “Proper waste management is important for maintaining village cleanliness and public health. Everybody should cooperate in the task,” she emphasised.
Another major point of contention was the delayed return of the Tilamol playground by the rural development agency (RDA). Gram sabha members expressed frustration over the prolonged wait for the playground’s handover after its upgrade and development works. They highlighted that it is the village’s only recreational ground, and any further delay in making it available for use would only deprive the children of participating in sports activities.
Responding to the playground issue, the sarpanch assured that she would take up the matter with the authorities concerned. “We understand the importance of the playground for our village youth, and we will work towards an early resolution,” a panchayat member said.
Several other development issues were also passionately discussed. The gram sabha concluded with the sarpanch promising to address all the issues on priority and take appropriate decisions.